Good NH Historical Fiction Recommendation

CrawfordCentury · 08-02-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Oh, I forgot about that book! I loved it! I might try to find it and read it again, I read it years ago!! THanks for the reminder.

Those Wentworths were an interesting lot.

John W.'s uncle and gubernatorial predecessor, Benning, earlier scandalized Portsmouth society by marrying his 16 year old maid, Martha Hilton.

John later married his cousin Frances almost literally before her late husband's body was cold.

Bit o' trivia: Francestown - over by Peterborough - was named after Frances Wentworth.

ghfromaltonbay · 08-02-2011, 12:37 PM

For summer "mystery" reading, look at some novels by Rebecca James such as Storm's End, The House is Dark, and Tomorrow is Mine. "Rebecca James" was actually James Elward, an actor and writer, who appeared for many years in the Barnstomers' plays in Tamworth and spent summers for decades there. Jim lived in NYC and wrote for shows such as "Guiding Light" and "Dr. Kildare". He used a pseudonym and "The House is Dark" is a mystery involving a summer theater. He did write a few novels under his own name, and was commissioned to finish Helen Van Slyke's last novel, "Public Smiles, Private Tears" after her death. Jim also wrote several plays including "The Best of Friends" which was produced in London back in the 1970's. I especially remember him playing Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple" at Tamworth opposite William Christopher (as Felix Unger). Yes, that's the same William Christopher who played Father Mulcahy in "MASH". Mr. Christopher was also a Barnstormer in his early career.

garysanfran · 10-06-2011, 07:36 PM

A very entertaining mystery set on the Lake around 1984. I related well to the description of The Mount, the local towns, islands, The Weirs, the way-of-life here, etc.

State · 10-09-2011, 02:26 PM

Nathaniel Hawthorne, who died in Plymouth, NH--we're approaching the sesquicentennial--has several short stories that are not surpassed set in the Granite State.

One example not yet mentioned is "The Ambitious Guest."

08-02-2011, 12:37 PM	#2
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 850 Thanks: 267 Thanked 237 Times in 137 Posts	Author with NH ties For summer "mystery" reading, look at some novels by Rebecca James such as Storm's End, The House is Dark, and Tomorrow is Mine. "Rebecca James" was actually James Elward, an actor and writer, who appeared for many years in the Barnstomers' plays in Tamworth and spent summers for decades there. Jim lived in NYC and wrote for shows such as "Guiding Light" and "Dr. Kildare". He used a pseudonym and "The House is Dark" is a mystery involving a summer theater. He did write a few novels under his own name, and was commissioned to finish Helen Van Slyke's last novel, "Public Smiles, Private Tears" after her death. Jim also wrote several plays including "The Best of Friends" which was produced in London back in the 1970's. I especially remember him playing Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple" at Tamworth opposite William Christopher (as Felix Unger). Yes, that's the same William Christopher who played Father Mulcahy in "MASH". Mr. Christopher was also a Barnstormer in his early career. Last edited by ghfromaltonbay; 08-02-2011 at 12:38 PM. Reason: spelling

10-06-2011, 07:36 PM	#3
garysanfran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco/Meredith Posts: 1,639 Thanks: 727 Thanked 705 Times in 363 Posts	"Mystery on the Mount" by Spencer Charles... A very entertaining mystery set on the Lake around 1984. I related well to the description of The Mount, the local towns, islands, The Weirs, the way-of-life here, etc. __________________ Gary ~~~~_/) ~~~ ~~~~~~~~

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10-09-2011, 02:26 PM	#4
State Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Nathaniel Hawthorne, who died in Plymouth, NH--we're approaching the sesquicentennial--has several short stories that are not surpassed set in the Granite State. One example not yet mentioned is "The Ambitious Guest."